The Malaysian Army has placed an order for 800 M72 lightweight anti-tank weapons manufactured by Norwegian-Finnish joint venture Nammo.
The weapons under order will come in the Enhanced Capacity (EC) variant, which has an effective range of 200 meters (656 feet) and weighs only 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds).
According to tender documents seen by local media, the weapons will be used to support missions in challenging environments, including urban settings and rough terrain.
They are also suitable for special forces operations.
Though the total value of the contract was not disclosed, the M72 EC is estimated to cost $1,200 each.
Modernizing Anti-Tank Arsenal
The acquisition of hundreds of M72s is part of Malaysia’s efforts to modernize its anti-tank arsenal.
It currently operates the Carl Gustav 84mm, the Instalaza C90, and the Saab Bofors AT4, which are all expected to complement the Nammo systems.
With 35 countries using the M72, the Malaysian Army will have an additional option for engaging light armored vehicles and fortified enemy positions.
Once delivered, the anti-tank weapons will replace the country’s aging RPG-7 systems being used by the 10th Para Brigade.
Nammo’s M72 comes in other variants, such as the Anti-Armor and Anti-Structure Munition currently in service with the US military.